2017-06-10
When we are asked what a patent application costs, many of our clients are surprised at the answer. This is because the cost of a patent application does not just include the cost of filing the patent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). There are several services that you need to hire and pay for, which would increase the patent application cost. These services are recommended if you want to:
- Create a strong patent that can’t be challenged
- Create a patent that is accepted by the Patent Office
What are these services and their charges you should be aware of?
Patent Search
Ideally, a patent search should be done when you first have the idea. Why is it necessary? Simply because you want to ensure that no entity has already thought of the idea and patented it. For a moment, imagine if you ventured to create a prototype, and discovered that someone has already invented and patented it. This would lead to a serious financial loss.
Hence, a patent search is vital and should, under no circumstances be, avoided. However, performing an effective patent search takes a certain skill-set. There are more than 2,290,000 registered patents with CIPO. A patent search service will know how to conduct a patent search and find ones that are similar to your own.
A patent search service can cost upwards of $500.
Professionally Written Patent Application
The true test of whether your patent application will be accepted or not depends on how well it is written.
- A patent application must not be vague
- Be descriptive and sufficiently describe the invention
- Present a strong claim
- Mention the enable requirement
Writing a patent application that meets all these requirements cannot be done by an amateur writer. A professional patent writer will know how to frame the language, ensure the reader completely understands the product and most importantly, clearly highlights the unique feature of the product.
Legal Assistance
Taking legal assistance is highly recommended. A patent lawyer will guide you every step of the way.
- Assist you in refining the patent idea
- File the patent application
- Ask the Patent Office to review the application
- Defend the patent application from any challenges
- Recommend certain steps if the application is rejected
The cost of legal assistance starts from $5,000 onwards.
File the Application
The patent application process requires you to pay fees at various stages of the filing. You can see the costs below:
It is recommended that you do not go for a do-it-yourself method as there are many complexities which must be adhered to. Though hiring and paying for these services may increase the total patent application cost, it ensures that your patent application is accepted and that you have a strong claim.
There are many mistakes inventors make when filing their patent application, you want to ensure you avoid them. If you wish to learn more about the cost and services you should opt for, you can reach out to Trademark Patent Lawyer and have your queries answered.
